CBP seizes 2,685 pounds of pot

Published 7:00 pm, Monday, August 4, 2008

Laredo U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered a marijuana load valued at $2.6 million hidden within a shipment of furniture this past weekend.

The seizure occurred shortly before 2 p.m. last Friday at the World Trade Bridge.

CBP officers searched a 1989 International tractor driven by a 36-year-old Nuevo Laredo native, that was hauling a commercial shipment of furniture.

During a non-intrusive imaging system scan, CBP officers noted anomalies within the merchandise.

A CBP canine also alerted to the odor of narcotics emanating from the trailer.

Upon further examination, CBP officers discovered 408 bundles hidden within the furniture shipment containing a total of 2,685 pounds of marijuana.

No immediate arrests were made, but the seizure remains under ongoing investigation.

"An effective combination of our officers’ inspection skill together with our high tech imaging equipment led to the discovery of a significant load of marijuana," said Gene Garza, CBP port director in Laredo. "This was a great job by our CBP officers working in the cargo environment."